Puncture Free Bottle Cork and the Application Thereof

ABSTRACT

A puncture free bottle cork has a body and a cap for covering a bottle opening. The body has at least one channel defined therein for receiving a syringe or an infusion bottle connector. The body is composed of an exterior body and a flange integrally formed with and extending downward from the exterior body for direct insertion of the bottle opening. The number of the at least one channel corresponds to number of the syringe or the infusion bottle connector such that when the number of the at least one channel is one, injection and drawing of medication to/from the bottle is using the single one channel and when the number of the at least one channel is plural, injection and drawing of medication to/from the bottle is using different channels.

RELATE APPLICATIONS

This application is a national phase entrance of and claims benefit to PCT Application for Puncture Free Bottle Cork And The Application Thereof, PCT/CN2011/079360, filed on Sep. 6, 2011, which claims benefit to Chinese Patent Application 201110210835.6, filed on Jul. 26, 2011. The specifications of both applications are incorporated here by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to a bottle cork and, more particularly, to a puncture free bottle cork applied especially to bottles designed to contain therein medical substance. Also, the application method of such bottle cork is disclosed.

2. Description of Related Art

Plastic cork and/or plastic membrane are moist resistant and have characteristics such as great chemistry features, air-tight and non-toxic. They are especially applicable for sealing medical substances. As such, they are widely used in penicillin bottles, infusion fluid bottles made of glass, infusion fluid bottles made of plastic and plastic bags, etc. Currently commercial available penicillin bottles, infusion fluid bottles made of glass, infusion fluid bottles made of plastic and plastic bags are all designed integrally. When each of them is applied clinically, the needle of either the syringe or the infusion fluid bottle has to puncture through the plastic cork or the plastic membrane so as to allow the medication contained in the syringe or bottle to be mixed with other medications for the patients. Sometimes, during an entire medication process, the needle has to puncture through the plastic cork or the plastic membrane dozens of times. While the needle passes through the cork or the membrane, a large amount of debris of the cork or the membrane is thus generated and falls into the solution, which flows into the vein and may very well cause blood vein to clog. Taking this into consideration, it is necessary to introduce an improvement to obviate or at least reduce the problems caused by the conventional product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved puncture free bottle cork, which totally solves the problem caused by the fallen debris of the conventional bottle cork into the medication solution.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an application method of the improved bottle cork.

In order to achieve the aforementioned objectives, the present invention provides an improved bottle cork having a body and a cap for sealing the body and the bottle. The body has a channel for connection to a syringe or the connector of the infusion bottle.

The body of the bottle cork constructed in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention has different geometric shapes to adapt to different shaped bottles. The body may be made of a material selected from the group consisting essentially of Isobutylene-Isoprene Rubber, halogenated butyl rubber, rubber and plastic. The cap then may be made of aluminum and/or plastic.

The body is formed by an exterior body and a flange extending integrally from the exterior body for insertion of the bottle. In another embodiment, the body may directly have an annular shape for direct insertion into the bottle.

The channel may also have different shapes designed to mate with the variety of syringe or the infusion bottle connector.

There may be a single channel or multiple channels defined in the flange for easy adaption of the number of the syringes or the infusion bottle connectors.

The channel is centrally defined in the extension of the bottle cork as well as in the body to literally pass through the entire bottle cork. In another embodiment of the present invention, the channel may be defined in the upper portion of the body and there is a path defined in the extension for containing mediation therein. In still another embodiment of the present invention, the channel is defined in the central portion of the body and the upper portion of the body has a receiving hole defined therein for receiving a needle of the syringe or the infusion bottle connector. Also the lower portion of the body has a path for containing therein medication.

The channel is circular, a cut or conical in shape.

The channel for the syringe or the infusion bottle connector is open.

The channel for the syringe or the infusion bottle connector is closed. Then, there is an index on the body.

In addition, the application of the bottle cork of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps:

opening sealed body and the cap;

inserting the syringe needle or the infusion bottle connector into the channel to allow the medication to flow both ways into or out of the syringe or the infusion bottle.

In contrast to the conventional product, the embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of: such as, the puncture free bottle cork constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is applicable for i.e., medical bottles, used bottle cork or membrane to seal the bottle opening and required puncture of the bottle cork or the membrane to allow the solution contained in the bottle to flow out of the bottle. With the improved bottle cork of the present invention, the sealing effect is intact and after the body and the cap are opened, medication solution is able to flow into or out of the bottle after connected with the syringe or the infusion bottle connector to avoid danger caused by the debris of the cork if the cork is damaged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a cross sectional view of the bottle cork of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the bottle cork of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of still another embodiment of the bottle cork of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the bottle cork of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the bottle cork of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the bottle cork of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the bottle cork of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the bottle cork of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the bottle cork of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross sectional view showing the structure of one embodiment of the bottle cork of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is still a schematic cross sectional view showing, the structure of one embodiment of the bottle cork of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the bottle cork constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a body Y and a cap X for enclosing the body Y and closing the bottle Z. The body Y is formed by a top part and a flange integrally formed with and extending downward from the top part. In this embodiment, the flange is inserted into the bottle opening Z1, as seen in FIG. 9. Yet, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, there is no flange formed and the top part, actually the body itself, is directly inserted into the bottle opening Z1. It is to be noted that the body Y has a channel for connection to a syringe or an infusion bottle connector. The shape and structure of the channel may be various depending on requirements of different purposes.

Embodiment 1

As shown in FIG. 1A, the body A is formed by an exterior body 12 and a flange 13 integrally formed with and extending downward from the exterior body 12. The body A has a channel 11 in a shape of a slit centrally defined therein. Normally, the channel 11 is not exposed when the seal to the body A and the cap made of aluminum or plastic are removed. An index 14 is formed on the top face of the exterior body 12 to correspond to the location of the channel 11. As such, when a syringe needle or a infusion bottle connector (not shown) is inserted into the body A via the indication of the index 14, the needle or the connector is able to communicate with the bottle Z to allow fluid to flow into or out of the bottle Z.

Embodiment 2

With reference to FIG. 1B, the body A is a column (without the flange) to be directly inserted, into the bottle opening (this embodiment of the body A is applicable for the bottle as shown in FIG. 10). The body A has a channel 11 in a shape of a slit centrally defined therein. Normally, the channel 11 is not exposed when the seal to the body A and the cap made of aluminum or plastic are removed. An index 14 is formed on the top face of the exterior body 12 to correspond to the location of the channel 11. As such, when a syringe needle or a infusion bottle connector (not shown) is inserted into the body A via the indication of the index 14, the needle or the connector is able to communicate with the bottle Z to allow fluid to flow into or out of the bottle Z.

Embodiment 3

As shown in FIG. 2, the body B is formed by an exterior body 22 and a flange 23 extending downward from the exterior body 22 for insertion of the bottle opening. The top part of the body B has a slit-shaped channel 21 defined to have communication with the syringe or the infusion bottle connector. The bottom part of the body B has a medication path 25 in communication with the channel 21. Normally, the channel 21 is not exposed. When the body B and the cap for sealing the bottle opening are removed, the channel 21 is still concealed. An index 24 is formed on the top face of the exterior body 22 to correspond to the location of the channel 21. As such, when a syringe needle or a infusion bottle connector (not shown) is inserted into the body B via the indication of the index 24 to communicate the channel 21 with the medication path 25. The needle or the connector is able to communicate with the bottle Z to allow fluid to flow into or out of the bottle Z.

Embodiment 4

With reference to FIG. 3, the body C is formed by an exterior body 32 and a flange 33 integrally formed with and extending downward from the exterior body 32. The flange 33 is provided for extending into the bottle opening. The body C has a conical channel 35 for easy access by the syringe or infusion bottle connector. The top part of the body C has an insertion hole 34 corresponding to where the channel 35 is defined for insertion of the syringe or the infusion bottle connector. The lower part of the body C has a medication path 31 normally concealed. After the cap is removed and the syringe or the infusion bottle connector is inserted into the receiving hole 34 of the body C. communication between the channel 31 and the medication path 35 is established to allow mediation to flow into or away from the bottle. And after the syringe or the infusion bottle connector is removed from the receiving hole 34, the channel 31 is once again closed.

Embodiment 5

With reference to FIG. 4. the body D is composed of an exterior body 42 and a flange 43 integrally formed with extending downward from the exterior body 42. The body D has a channel 41 centrally defined through the body D. Thus, after the cap is removed, the channel 41 is exposed and communicates with the ambient air. And the syringe or the infusion bottle connector is able to be directly inserted into the channel 41 to allow medication fluid to flow in or out of the bottle.

Embodiment 6

With reference to FIG. 5, the body E is composed of an exterior body 52 and a flange 53 integrally formed with extending downward from the exterior body 52. The body E has two channels 511, 512 centrally defined through the body E and normally concealed or closed. Thus, after the cap is removed, the channel 511, 512 are not exposed. Two indexes 541, 542 are defined in a top face of the body E to respectively correspond to and communicate with the channel 512 and the channel 511. With the provision of these two sets of channels 511, 512, the user may use one channel, i.e., channel 511. for injection of mediation into the bottle and the other channel, i.e., channel 512, for drawing medication from the bottle.

Embodiment 7

With reference to FIG. 6, the body F is composed of an exterior body 62 and a flange 63 integrally formed with extending downward from the exterior body 62. The body F has two channels 611, 612 centrally defined in the top portion of the body F. The bottom portion of the body F has two medication paths 651, 652 respectively corresponding to and communicating with the two channels 612, 611. Normally the two channels 611, 612 are concealed or closed. Thus, after the cap is removed, the channel 511, 512 are not exposed. Two indexes 641, 642 are defined in a top face of the body F to respectively correspond to and communicate with the channel 512 and the channel 511. With the provision of these two sets of channels 511, 512, the user may use one channel, i.e., channel 511, for injection of mediation into the bottle and the other channel. i.e., channel 512, for drawing medication from the bottle. Normally the two channels 611, 612 are closed even when the cap is removed from the bottle opening. Two indexes 641, 642 are marked or defined in the top face of the body F to correspond to the two channels 611, 612. Thus, insertion of the syringe or the infusion bottle connector into the indexes 641, 642, communicates the two channels 611, 612 with the two medication paths 651, 652 and allows a user to inject medication into the bottle or draw medication away from the bottle. Usually, when there are two channels as shown in this embodiment, one is for injection medication into the bottle and the other one is for drawing medication away from the bottle.

Embodiment 8

As shown in FIG. 7, the body G is composed of an exterior body 72 and a flange 73 integrally formed with and extending downward from the exterior body 72. In the mid-section of the body G, there are two conical channels 751, 752 for the insertion of the syringe or the infusion bottle connector. Two receiving holes 741, 742 defined in the top section of the body G and corresponding to the channels 751, 752 are to receive therein the syringe or the infusion bottle connector. Two normally closed medication paths 711, 712 are defined in the bottom section of the body G to correspond to and communicate with the channels 751, 752 respectively. However, after the cap for the bottle opening is removed and the syringe or the infusion bottle connector are inserted into the receiving holes 741, 742 respectively to communicate the channels 751 752 with the medication paths 711. 712 such that the user may use the syringe or the infusion bottle connector to inject or draw medication to/from the bottle. After the syringe or the infusion bottle connector is removed, the two medication paths 711, 712 automatically close. Usually, when there are two channels 751, 752, one is for injection of mediation to the bottle and the other one is for drawing medication from the bottle.

Embodiment 9

With reference to FIG. 8, the body H is composed of an exterior body 82 and a flange 83 integrally formed with and extending downward from the exterior body 82 to be removably mounted on the bottle opening. In the mid-section of the body H, there are two conical channels 811, 812 extending through the body H for the insertion of the syringe or the infusion bottle connector. After the cap for the bottle opening is removed and the syringe or the infusion bottle connector are inserted into the channels 811, 812, the user may use the syringe or the infusion bottle connector to inject or draw medication to/from the bottle. After the syringe or the infusion bottle connector is removed, the two channels 811, 812 still remain open. Usually, when there are two channels 811, 812, one is for injection of mediation to the bottle and the other one is for drawing medication from the bottle.

In addition, the application of the bottle cork of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps:

opening sealed body and the cap;

inserting the syringe needle or the infusion bottle connector into the channel to allow the medication to flow both ways into or out of the syringe or the infusion bottle.

Channels in embodiments 3-9 may also be applicable for the bottle cork shown in FIG. 10.

The bottle cork constructed in accordance with the present invention is a perfect replacement for the conventional bottle cork which requires puncture of the bottle cork and cases debris of the bottle cork to fall into the medication solution and eventually contaminate the solution. When the structures shown in embodiments of the present invention are in application, the user needs not puncture through the bottle cork to accomplish the desired tasks. The user only needs to insert the syringe or the infusion bottle connector into the receiving holes or the channels, depending on what purpose is required, and no more debris to contaminate the mediation solution contained in the bottle. 

1. A puncture free bottle cork having a body and a cap for covering a bottle opening, wherein the improvements comprise: the body having at least one channel defined therein for receiving a syringe or an infusion bottle connector.
 2. The bottle cork as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is made of a material selected from the group consisting essentially of isobutylene-isoprene rubber, halogenated butyl rubber, rubber and plastic and the cap is made of aluminum or plastic.
 3. The bottle cork as claimed in claim 2, wherein the body is composed of an exterior body and a flange integrally formed with and extending downward from the exterior body for direct insertion of the bottle opening.
 4. The bottle cork as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one channel is so designed to adapt to shapes of the syringe or the infusion bottle connector.
 5. The bottle cork as claimed in claims 4, wherein number of the at least one channel corresponds to number of the syringe or the infusion bottle connector such that when the number of the at least one channel is one, injection and drawing of medication to/from the bottle is using the single one channel and when the number of the at least one channel is plural, injection and drawing of medication to/from the bottle is using different channels.
 6. The bottle cork as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one channel is defined in top section of the body and the body has at least one medication path defined in bottom section thereof to correspond to and communicate with the at least one channel.
 7. The bottle cork as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one channel has a shape selected from conical, slit and column.
 8. The bottle cork as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one channel is selectively closed.
 9. The bottle cork as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one channel is closed and the body has an index formed on a top face thereof to correspond to the at least one channel.
 10. A method of using the bottle cork as claimed in claims 1, the method comprising the steps of: opening sealed body and a cap; inserting syringe needle or infusion bottle connector into the at least one channel to allow medication to flow into or out of the syringe or the infusion bottle. 